NEW JUNIOR CERT IN THE HANDS OF STUDENTS

PRESS STATEMENT

Irish Second-Level Students' Union

*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

NEW JUNIOR CERT IS IN THE

HANDS OF STUDENTS

Minister Quinn invites ISSU to open student consultation

8 November 2011

The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU) is delighted to accept Minister Ruairi Quinn’s invitation for ISSU to host a national consultation on the new name for the assessment, which will replace the Junior Certificate Examination.Leanne Caulfield, ISSU President said: “We welcome this opportunity to invite our student members to come up with a name for the Junior Cycle process that is youth-friendly, and which will enable young people to identify more with their own education. It is vitally important that young people play their part in any changes to the education system, and this will provide the opportunity for students to do just that.”Niall Dennehy, ISSU General Secretary said: “We will be looking for a name that is exciting, dynamic and ensures that young people make a greater connection with their learning. Young people are best placed to take the lead in redesigning the way in which students learn at Junior Cycle level, and this will act as the crucial first step in allowing them to do so.” Contact:ISSU Head Office: 01 443 4461www.issu.ie, email communications@issu.ie ***************** ENDS ***************** Notes to Editor:The Irish Second-Level Students' Union is the national umbrella body for school Student Councils, aiming to represent and connect Irish second-level students the length and breadth of the country, ensuring that the voice of the Irish second-level student is heard and striving for innovation and democracy within the education system. ISSU is a not-for profit student rights organisation.At ISSU we believe that young people are not merely citizens in waiting - we deserve better, we deserve to be heard. We can and will contribute positively to society. It is so important that our voices, views and opinions are (i) heard (ii) listened to (iii) and most importantly respected.  ISSU's main aims include:•    To provide training and development of second-level school Student Councils, in conjunction with relevant bodies.•    To develop policies on issues affecting Irish second-level students and bring the needs and rights of students to the attention of the relevant authorities.•    To provide a transparent, democratic and reliable organisation.•    To work in collaboration with other educational institutions and bodies both in Ireland and Europe.•    To work closely with educational curriculum policy makers and teachers’ unions to continually develop a transparent, fair and modern education system.And most importantly, to give students a structured platform through which the voice of the Irish second-level student will be heard. 

CAO can't defend high charges

 PRESS STATEMENT

Irish Second-Level Students' Union

*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***

CAO CAN'T DEFEND HIGH CHARGES

Second-Level Students' Union calls for review of CAO fees

15 August 2011

The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union is urging the Central Applications Office (CAO) to revise the fee charged to submit an application for entry to third-level courses in 43 colleges of education across the state.Speaking this afternoon, an ISSU spokesperson said:“The fee which currently stands at €45 per application or a reduced fee of €35 for those that submit an early application generated the CAO a profit of almost €1.4m last year – the application fee for the U.K equivalent of the CAO, UCAS, stands at the sterling equivalent of just under €24.Over recent years, the majority of applications are now made online, substantially reducing the administrative burden on the Central Applications Office.  With this in mind, we firmly believe that the CAO fee should be reduced for 2011-2012 onwards particularly in the current economic climate in which the cost of education for parents and students is already a huge financial drain. Even a small reduction in the CAO charges could somewhat offset the newly increased student levy. It is simply not good enough for a not-for-profit company to charge exorbitant fees, resulting in grossly excessive profits. We should be encouraging our young people to further their education and any barrier to this is inexcusable". ***************** ENDS *****************Notes to Editor:The Irish Second-Level Students' Union is the national umbrella body for school Student Councils, aiming to represent and connect Irish second-level students the length and breadth of the country, ensuring that the voice of the Irish second-level student is heard and striving for innovation and democracy within the education system. ISSU is a not-for profit student rights organisation.At ISSU we believe that young people are not merely citizens in waiting - we deserve better, we deserve to be heard. We can and will contribute positively to society. It is so important that our voices, views and opinions are (i) heard (ii) listened to (iii) and most importantly respected.ISSU's main aims include:

• To provide training and development of second-level school Student Councils, in conjunction with relevant bodies.
• To develop policies on issues affecting Irish second-level students and bring the needs and rights of students to the attention of the relevant authorities.
• To provide a transparent, democratic and reliable organisation.
• To work in collaboration with other educational institutions and bodies both in Ireland and Europe.
• To work closely with educational curriculum policy makers and teachers’ unions to continually develop a transparent, fair and modern education system.
• And most importantly, to give students a structured platform through which the voice of the Irish second-level student will be heard.

Protect our Education. Protect our Future.

Irish Second-level Students’ UnionPRESS STATEMENT *FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*Protect our Education. Protect our Future. 03/11/'10The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union has today urged policy makers to stand up for our future. Speaking today, an ISSU spokesperson said:“Recalling the words of Walt Disney ‘Our greatest natural resource is the minds of our children’. Our country, our democracy, our society is at a crossroads. Difficult challenges face us, but what will define us as a nation is how we act and react to the decisions we must make. Investment in education should always be a priority, especially given the current unfavourable economic climate. Frontline education services, that affect the quality of the learning for our young people should be protected.Imposing any barrier to the access for education is reckless. It is unfair to further burden a generation, who ultimately will shoulder the brunt of the turbulent times that came before us. The ISSU is calling on the Department of Education and Skills to exhaust all possibilities in ensuring the learning of individual students or their access to education is not impinged.”__ENDS__Notes to Editor:ISSU is the national umbrella body for school Student Councils, aiming to represent and connect Irish second-level students the length and breadth of the country, ensuring that the voice of the Irish second-level student is heard and striving for innovation and democracy within the education system. ISSU is a not-for profit student rights organisation.At ISSU we believe that young people are not merely citizens in waiting - we deserve better, we deserve to be heard. We can and will contribute positively to society. It is so important that our voices, views and opinions are (i) heard (ii) listened to (iii) and most importantly respected. This is what ISSU is all about. We’re here for you.Our main aims include:-To provide training and development of second-level school Student Councils, in conjunction with relevant bodies.-To develop policies on issues affecting Irish second-level students and bring the needs and rights of students to the attention of the relevant authorities.-To provide a transparent, democratic and reliable organisation.-To work in collaboration with other educational institutions and bodies both in Ireland and Europe.-To work closely with educational curriculum policy makers and teachers’ unions to continually develop a transparent, fair and modern education system.-And most importantly, to give students a structured platform through which the voice of the Irish second-level student will be heard.ISSU represents students at a national level and is affiliated to; the WHEEL, NYCI, Anna Lindh Foundation, Stand up for Education Alliance, Children’s Mental Health Coalition and the Children’s Rights Alliance. On an international level, ISSU works closely with OBESSU. ISSU also works with curriculum development teams and various advisory bodies.Contact:www.issu.ie, email communications@issu.ie or call 01 443 4461.

Finally…. some signs of democracy and transparency

Irish Second-Level Students’ Union PRESS STATEMENT                                        *FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

Finally…. some signs of democracy and transparency

It seems that the wheels may be slowly grinding towards a modern education evolution. Today (Thursday), the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU) has welcomed the Minister for Education & Skills decision to develop a new framework in the selection of patronage for second-level schools.  Much progress has been made over the past 20 years in the primary-sector, allowing parents and students to choose a school which meets their needs, however it is regrettable and disappointing that as of yet in 2010 these trends don’t translate to second-level education.This framework for a transparent process which includes clear criteria for school selection is long overdue. The world we live in is changing, but sometimes our education system stays stuck in the past. Schooling is local – let’s keep it that way. With this new framework parents and students will have a greater input into deciding what school best suits their needs. With this in mind, we call on Minister Coughlan to ensure that a position for ISSU would be made available on the new proposed advisory panel to ensure that students are represented as experts. Although, what appears to be additional red tape – certain levels of bureaucracy are unfortunately needed in this country to influence change and get things done. This framework needs to be put in place within weeks to ensure there are no further delays in the selection of second-level school patronage, and indeed it should not be used as a tool to put off decision-making and delay the desired positive change. A diverse education system is what Ireland needs for 21^st century learning, and ultimately for the internationally applauded ‘smart economy’. Students deserve better – we deserve choice.__ENDS__Notes to Editor:ISSU is the national umbrella body for school Student Councils, aiming to represent and connect Irish second-level students the length and breadth of the country, ensuring that the voice of the Irish second-level student is heard and striving for innovation and democracy within the education system. ISSU is a not-for profit student rights organisation.At ISSU we believe that young people are not merely citizens in waiting - we deserve better, we deserve to be heard. We can and will contribute positively to society. It is so important that our voices, views and opinions are (i) heard (ii) listened to (iii) and most importantly respected. This is what ISSU is all about. We’re here for you.Our main aims include:

• To provide training and development of second-level school Student Councils, in conjunction with relevant bodies.
• To develop policies on issues affecting Irish second-level students and bring the needs and rights of students to the attention of the relevant authorities.
• To provide a transparent, democratic and reliable organisation.
• To work in collaboration with other educational institutions and bodies both in Ireland and Europe.
• To work closely with educational curriculum policy makers and teachers’ unions to continually develop a transparent, fair and modern education system.
• And most importantly, to give students a structured platform through which the voice of the Irish second-level student will be heard.

ISSU represents students at a national level and is affiliated to; the WHEEL, NYCI, Anna Lindh Foundation, Stand up for Education Alliance, Children’s Mental Health Coalition and the Children’s Rights Alliance. On an international level, ISSU works closely with OBESSU. ISSU also works with curriculum development teams and various advisory bodies. Contact:www.issu.ie, email communications@issu.ie or call 01 443 4461.

ISSU Condemns Cheating During State Examinations

Irish Second-Level Students’ UnionPRESS STATEMENT    *FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

Cheating during State Examinations    15/06/’10

The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union welcomes the investigation being conducted by the State Examinations Commission into cheating by candidates during the Junior and Leaving Certificate exams.Incidents of this nature undermine the credibility of our education system on a national and international level and so the ISSU calls on students to report any efforts at cheating that are brought to their attention during the exams, as it is the credibility of their educational qualifications that are at stake. The ISSU urges students not to stay silent for fear of being labelled a “snitch” as incidences can be reported in confidence to the relevant authorities. The ISSU also calls on the State Examinations to ensure that superintendents implement stricter regulations and checks to ensure that attempts to cheat during exams do not go undetected as unless more rigorous measures are enforced, attempts at cheating will escalate in future years and confidence in the Irish exam system will be gravely undermined.__ENDS__Notes to Editor:ISSU is the national umbrella body for school Student Councils, aiming to represent and connect Irish second-level students the length and breadth of the country, ensuring that the voice of the Irish second-level student is heard and striving for innovation and democracy within the education system. ISSU is a not-for profit student rights organisation.At ISSU we believe that young people are not merely citizens in waiting - we deserve better, we deserve to be heard. We can and will contribute positively to society. It is so important that our voices, views and opinions are (i) heard (ii) listened to (iii) and most importantly respected. This is what ISSU is all about. We’re here for you.Our main aims include:

• To provide training and development of second-level school Student Councils, in conjunction with relevant bodies.
• To develop policies on issues affecting Irish second-level students and bring the needs and rights of students to the attention of the relevant authorities.
• To provide a transparent, democratic and reliable organisation.
• To work in collaboration with other educational institutions and bodies both in Ireland and Europe.
• To work closely with educational curriculum policy makers and teachers’ unions to continually develop a transparent, fair and modern education system.
• And most importantly, to give students a structured platform through which the voice of the Irish second-level student will be heard.

ISSU represents students at a national level and is affiliated to; the WHEEL, NYCI, Anna Lindh Foundation, Stand up for Education Alliance, Children’s Mental Health Coalition and the Children’s Rights Alliance. On an international level, ISSU works closely with OBESSU. ISSU also works with curriculum development teams and various advisory bodies.Contact:www.issu.ie, email info@issu.ie or call 01 443 4461.

Stand up for Education

Presentation to Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education

Stand Up for Education is a campaign with the aim of mobilising public opinion to persuade government:

• to increase the level of investment in education in Ireland to 7% of GDP by 2016
• not to target education for further cuts in future budgets and to reverse cuts imposed over the last two years.
• to provide additional places in education for the government's employment activation programme by the removal of artificial limits on enrolment on Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) and other courses designed for this process.

ISSU is a proud member of the Stand up for Education Alliance.______________________________________________________________________1. 7% of GDP target for EducationEducation spending in Ireland is low by any acceptable measurement. While significantly increased investment in education may appear unrealistic at present given the current income deficit, we advocate that there be a commitment to increase the education budget to 7% of GDP by 2016 across all sectors.2. Alleviation of recent cuts, particularly the moratorium on appointments.There needs to be an alleviation of the cuts imposed over the past years as well as a commitment not to target education for further cuts in future budgets. The cuts made over the past two years must be reversed as soon as possible. Removal of the moratorium on middle management posts in schools so that they can make the necessary vital appointments such as year heads and examination secretaries is essential. With the inducement for many to retire from teaching during the present calendar year this situation will worsen and some believe that schools may not be in a position to open in September.3. Additional Further Education and PLC placesPLC courses are a very cost effective way of up-skilling the population and restrictions on places makes no economic, social or educational sense. In economic terms, the cost of the extra resources necessary to take on new students would be greatly offset by savings otherwise payable in the form of Jobseeker's Allowance.Programmes provide students with specific vocational skills which enhance their prospects of securing employment or progressing on to further studies.All economic commentators agree that the nation requires a highly skilled and well educated workforce to take on the challenges of new opportunities as soon as the green shoots of economic recovery appear. PLC courses can evolve quickly to suit the needs of the local community and as such are of an absolutely vital importance going forward.PRESENTATION1. 7% of GDP target for EducationWe start with reference to the comments of former Intel chairman Craig Barrett has predicted Ireland will end up an economic backwater if we do not radically reform how we educate our workforce.In an interview on RTE he said: "The future of Ireland's economy will be directly related to quality of workforce and the quality of Ireland's workforce will be dependent on education capability."We believe that economic recovery needs a change in thinking in Irish politics: We need to work together towards A smarter future for all. Education is the key to this future and to our economic recovery. It must be safeguarded as an equal right for all children, particularly those who are most vulnerable.Education spending in Ireland is low by any acceptable measurement, at 4.6% of GDP as reported by the OECD in 2009. While significantly increased investment in education may be unrealistic at present given the current income deficit, we advocate that there be an agreement to increase the education budget to 7% of GDP by 2016.Change to the taxation systemWe recognise the harsh realities of our present economic situation but - there is an alternative to cuts. There is a better, smarter, fairer way to tackle our problems as a nation.We believe that we need a wider debate on our values and direction as a society. We want a society that respects and values the contribution of all our people.We believe that the fairest and smartest option is to radically review how the taxation system works, distribute wealth and opportunity more equally in our society and protect frontline services. We believe that those who earn the most - in either the public or private sector - should contribute most, according to their means.RECOMMENDATION 1We call on this Committee to advise the Minister for Education and Science to consider making a spending target of 7% of GDP on Education by 2016 part of Government policy. (We also call on opposition political parties to support this target.)2. Alleviation of recent cuts, particularly the moratorium on appointments.Middle management posts in schools and PLC colleges are not being filled as a result of the moratorium imposed in March 2009. The only posts being filled are those of Principal and Deputy Principal. It is seen as essential that this moratorium be alleviated immediately in schools so that they can make the necessary vital appointments such as year heads and examination secretaries.With the inducement for many to retire from teaching during the present calendar year, this situation will worsen and some believe that schools may not be in a position to open in September. These post holders carry out vital functions in schools which cannot be carried out otherwise.In PLCs all the recommendations and the commitments to fund the schools relate to the creation of additional management posts. Instead of the creation of additional management posts, the reverse is occurring and key posts are being lost to the colleges because of the impact of the moratorium on promotional posts.In the Adult Education sector some positions of Adult Education Organiser have been embargoed. This is having a disastrous effect on adult education in the counties concerned, Mayo and Wexford.RECOMMENDATION 2We call on this Committee to advise the Minister for Education and Science to consider an immediate alleviation in the situation relating to the filling of Posts of Responsibility in schools and colleges to allow for the vital functions in schools to be carried out.3. Additional Further and Higher Education and PLC placesVocational Education Committees (VECs) offer a wide range of further and adult education courses through a range of programmes. Among their strengths is the ability to adapt quickly to new labour market demands and to provide an extensive range of locally based learning opportunities leading to a range of FETAC awards ranging in level from Basic Education to Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) and providing for progression to higher education.Institutes of Technology (IOTs) also offer a wide range of extremely varied Higher Education Courses leading to qualifications at Diploma, Degree and Post Graduate level up to the highest level of award, PhD. They are in addition significant research Institutions and are major advisors to industry at both national and local level. Over the years they have shown a high level of responsive to the needs of industry and have in many instances initiated many industries.The current financial difficulties, rapid increase in unemployment and impending social crisis demands immediate attention. Employment, particularly traditional employment, is diminishing and this country must therefore put itself in a position to respond to changing needs of employers in terms of availability of skills. This demands re-skilling and upskilling of workers and concerted action must be taken to expand education and training opportunities, particularly further, adult education and third level education and training opportunities.Investment in education and training leading to a workforce that is better educated must be a Government priority if Ireland is to recover from the current economic crisis, regain competitiveness in the labour market, avert high social welfare dependency and prevent deepening poverty. The economic and social dividends generated from education / training, with huge cost saving for the state, are well documented in a series of national policy documents.Of particular relevance at this point in time are the objectives and targets set out in "Towards a National Skills Strategy" (2007). These recommendations were prepared in order to ensure Ireland will have a well educated, highly skilled population by 2020 to underpin a 'competitive, innovative driven, knowledge based, participative and inclusive economy' (National Skills Strategy, 2007, p7).While we welcomed the additional funding announced in Budget 2010 for training places and supports, the Budget did not address the critical and artificial shortage of places in Further Education colleges and Post Leaving Cert (PLC) courses caused by the imposition of a cap on places in spite of hugely increased demand. The 1,500 additional places announced in early 2009 were welcome but were quite inadequate in meeting the demand for places which is growing with the growth in unemployment.Research carried out by Stand Up for Education member the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) in 2009 found that on average there were two applicants for every PLC place with 60,000 applications for just over 30,000 places.The TUI consulted with colleges of Further Education across the country. Trends are the same in every province and in every town and city.Whether it is Cavan, Cork, Dublin, Dun Laoghaire, Drogheda, Limerick, Sligo or Galway, colleges have long waiting lists of applicants who now have little hope of obtaining a place on a PLC course.PLC courses are a very cost effective way of up-skilling the population and restrictions on places makes no economic, social or educational sense.Even looking at the situation in purely economic terms, the cost of the extra resources necessary to take on new students would be greatly offset by savings of money otherwise payable in the form of Jobseeker's Allowance.Programmes provide students with specific vocational skills which enhance their prospects of securing employment or progressing on to further studies.All economic commentators agree that the nation requires a highly skilled and well educated workforce to take on the challenges of new opportunities as soon as the green shoots of economic recovery appear. PLC courses can evolve quickly to suit the needs of the local community and as such are of particular importance going forward.One of the major difficulties inhibiting the growth of Further Education is the absence of a specific and discreet sector of education such as exists in most European countries. All PLC colleges are regarded by the Department of Education and Science as being second level schools and are administered as such. We therefore believe that there should be the establishment of a discreet Further Education sector along with a commitment by Government to provide the resources to the Further Education sector as was promised in July 2008.PLCs can accommodate unemployed young people if given the resourcesMany Principals could commence additional courses quickly for PLC students on waiting lists if they were given the teaching resources to do so. All that is required is the additional teaching allocation.Additional PLC places would solve many of the pressing needs various Government Departments including Education and Science, Social and Family Affairs and Enterprise Trade and Employment.We urgently request that the go ahead is now given to sanction additional PLC places in colleges which have the space to accommodate additional students.We call on the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment to allocate a significant portion of its training budget to the VECs. The VECs have the expertise and track record to provide further education courses tailored to meet the local industry demands and needs, enabling students to enter the workforce or to progress on to further education and training.A PLC place enables a student - regardless of age - to move forward, increases their chances of securing employment and contributing to economic growth and recovery. Students in the past have contributed to the development of our Celtic Tiger economy and we are convinced that those graduating from PLC courses in the future would be a further catalyst to economic recovery and growth.Sample of applications to colleges around the countryName of college / No.Applications Sept 2009 / No. of Places Sept 2009 / No. DisappointedInchicore College of FE / 2,500+ / 800 / 1,700+Rathmines College of FE 1,100+ / 550 / 550+Colaiste Dhulaigh, Coolock 3,000+ / 1,073 / 1,927+Ballyfermot College of FE 5,500+ / 1,200 / 4,300+Cavan Institute 2,700 / 1,300 / 1,400+Limerick Senior College 2,600 1,200 1,400Sligo College of FE Ballinode, Sligo 1,100+ / 600 / 500+College of Commerce, Cork 3,500+ / 1,845 / 1,655+St John's Central College, Cork 4,500 / 1,200 / 3,300+Galway Technical Institute 3,500+ / 950 / 2,550+Drogheda College of F.E. 2,500 / 800 / 1,700+Particularly long waiting lists for the following coursesColaiste Dhulaigh in Coolock stated that there was high demand and long waiting lists for courses in the care area, applied social studies, pre-nursing science, sports science and business.Sligo College of Further Education Ballinode confirmed that there were long waiting lists for courses in childcare, social studies, nursing, business and design.Inchicore College stated that many students hoping to get a place on popular courses including social studies, pre-nursing or sport and fitness will not even be interviewed because of the excessive demand for places.Colaiste Stiofan Naofa, Cork stated that the college has had a huge volume of applications for social studies, music management, leisure and recreation, and sports injuries coursesImpact of Cutbacks will also affect collegesThe introduction of the moratorium on appointments to promotional posts is also beginning to impact negatively on colleges. Sligo College of Further Education Ballinode has to be managed effectively with six less promotional posts.Needless to say, the loss of such posts makes management of colleges significantly more difficult.RECOMMENDATION 3

• We call on this Committee to advise the Minister for Education to take the following measures:
• Greater numbers of places on PLC and other adult education courses - removal of artificial limits on enrolment on PLC and other Further Education courses including the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) and the Back to Education Initiative.Greater recognition of the role of the sector in the Government's Employment Activation Programme i.e. Greater use of the education system in the provision of courses for those without work.
• The recognition by the Department of Education and Science of PLC colleges as colleges of Further Education in a Further Education sector with the funding as promised in July 2008 committed as soon as possible.
• Removal of the Moratorium which is preventing the filling of adult education organisers in the interest of the development of Adult Education particularly with emphasis on the unemployed.
• A comprehensive Adult Guidance scheme to provide advice on courses to the unemployed.

SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS1. That government and opposition political parties commit to a target level of investment in education of 7% of GDP by 2016.2. That the government take immediate steps to alleviate the problems being caused by the imposition of the moratorium on promotional posts in schools/colleges and in the adult education sector.3. That the government lift the artificial cap on places on PLC courses.Stand Up for Education is sponsored by the Teachers' Union of Ireland and supported by:

• Aontas
• Barnardos
• Co-operation on Minority and Protestant Parents Associations
• Federation of Parent Councils in Christian Brothers & other Catholic Secondary Schools,
• Irish Second-Level Students Union
• Irish Traveller Movement
• Mandate Trade Union
• National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals
• National Congress of Catholic Schools Parents Associations
• National Parents Association for Vocational Schools and Community Colleges National Parents Council Post Primary
• OPEN (One Parent Exchange Network)
• Parents Associations of Community and Comprehensive Schools
• SIPTU.

For more information visit http://www.standupforeducation.ie/